Kendrapada: After remaining shut for nearly three months over a caste row, an Anganwadi centre at Nuagaon village in Odisha’s Kendrapada district resumed operations on Monday.
The Anganwadi centre had been closed after some villagers opposed the engagement of a Dalit woman as a helper in November, last year. Several families stopped sending their children to the centre following her engagement and refused to accept supplementary nutrition meant for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children. The centre remained shut for more than 80 days.
After the issue was raised in Parliament, members of the Women and Child Protection Commission, the State Women Commission and local officials visited the village on February 14 to resolve the issue. They held discussions with villagers and conducted door-to-door awareness campaign. Cultural programmes were also held to promote social harmony. After detailed discussions, villagers took a pledge to send their children back to the Anganwadi centre.
Following the development, the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) and Rajnagar MLA reportedly visited the village on Monday and took children to the centre, marking the reopening of the facility. With the children attending again, normal operations at the Anganwadi centre have resumed.
Extending full cooperation to the administration, villagers said the centre will function regularly from now on. Parents expressed relief as children can once again access early childhood education and nutrition support under government schemes.
